Craft parties turn trash into treasures

DeKALB – Turn your trash into holiday treasures this season at one of the Green Lens Environmental Film Festival’s three upcycling craft parties at Tapa La Luna, 226 E. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.

Everyone is invited to make-and-take crafts at these workshops that show participants how to repurpose everyday items into gifts and keepsakes. All of the workshops will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The first workshop, “Boxes to Brooches,” will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19. Learn to turn plain cardboard into brooches, barrettes, bracelets and more.

The second workshop, “Keeping the ‘T’ in Christmas,” will teach participants how to turn old T-shirts into yarn, scarves, blankets, even new outfits. Bring your old shirts.

The final workshop, “Ornamentation Celebration,” will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10. Learn to make new ornaments out of old books and photos and how to give new life to used holiday trimmings. Bring copies of favorite photos.

“I’m excited to see what everyone makes out of their old household items,” Green Lens intern Chelsey Fulbright said. “This is going to be a great way to show people that they don’t always have to throw things away. With a little creativity and some hot glue, you can give new life to secondhand items.”

Gillian King-Cargile, co-director of the Green Lens Film Festival, said Tapa La Luna is the perfect spot for upcycling.

“Tapa La Luna employs a variety of energy-saving measures, incorporates upcycled materials into their decor, and has electronic versions of their drink menus on iPads so that they don’t have to reprint menus every time their selections change,” she said.

Cost is $10 per person. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Proceeds support the Green Lens Film Festival, which hosts film screenings and community events to show people small changes they can make to help the environment.